Mohawk

Folks,
Going to Italy (first time) and France (third time) next July. Family of three (one fem. teenager). Flying in/out of Florence staying one week. Is a week there too long? Should I shoot over to Venice for a couple of the days? Rome instead? What would you experienced travelers to Italy do? Thanks. Mark

Tim_and_Liz

I would go to Venice for two nights, spend four in Florence with at least one daytrip into the Tuscan countryside.
I am sure you will get 100 different opinions, though!

Daneille

If you enjoy art and architecture and exploring markets I think you could easily spend a week in Florence. I love it and could spend an age....However a teenager may become a little bored with this and enjoy a change of scenery. So I would probably agree with Tim and Liz and do 4 days Florence and 2 days in Venice. Perhaps plan you train travel either v. early in the morning or at night so you don't lose a day along the way - It's only about 3 hours.

dandj

Venice is a must...

JaneRebecca

Roma Roma Roma is so wonderful. I wish I had been taken there as a teenager. I love Florence, too. One week is not much time; one could easily spend a week in Florence; I'd like two weeks, right about now.

gard

Hi

I would rather go to Rome instead of Venice. But if you have one week in the Florence area you could also use the oppertunity to take a drive around in Tuscany. My wife and I spent 4 days in Florence in July and the following 6 days in the Chianti area and that was great. But Rome is also amazing...here is my Rome trip report with pictures, links and interactive map http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

quokka

I spent four MONTHS in Florence and still haven't seen everything I wanted to in and around the city. A week is definitely not too long. (To be honest, I have never found any stay anywhere too long, it has always been too short.) Florence is an excellent base for day trips, too (Siena, Lucca, Volterra, Arezzo, Pienza, San Gimignano, Pisa, the Chianti, ... these options alone could fill a week). So what are you worrying about?

Mohawk

Thanks for the thoughts. Guokka asked, "what are you worried about?" I guess it comes down to how do I best spend a week in Italy, being that its our first time there and who knows when there will be a next time. Being so close to the engineering marval thats Venice, or the antiquities of Rome, would I be remiss in not going to see at least one of them? Based on what I've read since posting the question, I am beginning to lean towards staying a night or two in Venice. Or do I give Rome a look? With all your help, I'll figure it out. Thanks again, Mark

kfusto

If you must do two cities, I vote for Rome and Florence though you will not be doing either justice.

I,too, have spent months in Florence and could happily spend years. It is a great place to base for a week and is ideal for daytrips. The University there has lots of American students so your teen will feel right at home, not the mention the fashion!

Bus and train connections are a breeze. You can visit Sienna, Bologna, and the beautiful towns in the wine country ans also rent an apartment for extra space saving time and money.

Since you are already flying in and out of Florence, IMO it is not worth venturing to Rome or Venice.

bardo1

I think you definately have time to include a few days in Venice.

I would never suggest that someone just "take a look" at Rome. Rome is ten times the size of Florence (not only in population but also in things to see) and deserves at least a week of its own. If you try to just "squeeze it out" I fear you might not fully appreciate its charms.

<i>...being that its our first time there and who knows when there will be a next time...</i>

Mark, it's amazing how everyone who says this ends up returning to Italy within a few years after their first visit. You will be planning your second visit within a year of returning from Florence and Venice. Really.

BTW, Is your week in Italy seven nights in hotels or six?

caroline_edinburgh

I'd rather go to Rome or Venice than Florence. The one time I stayed there, I'd had enough after 3 days - and it sounds as though it's a lot busier now (I went in 1989 &amp; walked straight into the Uffizi) - and I've never wanted to go back. But I've been to Rome countless times and have just booked my 3rd week-long stay in Venice. Have you already got the flights ? If so, It would still be easy to go on to Rome either immediately or after a couple of nights in Florence.

I suppose a big consideration is are you likely to be visiting Italy again - if not, maybe you want to fit in as much as possible ?

Another consideration - as well as the cities, are you interested in seeing the Tuscan countryside &amp; small towns ? If so, IMO you'd do better to rent a car, stay in the country &amp; do Florence &amp; other places in Tuscany as a day trip.

missypie

I'd stay 5 nights in Florence-day trips to Pisa and/or Lucca, and 2 nights in Venice. I wouldn't try to visit Rome unless I had AT LEAST 4 full days.

There are quite a few people who really hate Florence. I had read so many &quot;I hate Florence&quot; posts on this board that I actually didn't want to go. But DH had been there before and insisted that we included it in our itinerary. I'm so glad we went. We had only 3 nights there. I could easily spend a whole week in Florence, but I wouldn't plan on it for you first trip, because your family might fall into the &quot;hate it&quot; camp. (If you do happen to hate it, just add more Tuscan day trips.)

Funtimes4all

I think three days is enough in Florence itself. However, there are so many incredible places to see in the surrounding countryside that you could easily fill any remaining time with day trips, so I'm not sure I would recommend adding another city or switching the destination altogether, if your heart is set on Florence. I agree, though, with everyone who says they would choose Rome over Venice. Personally, I would choose Rome over Florence, too, but I tend to be a city person who thrives on the noise and breakneck pace of Rome. However, not everyone appreciates that particular aspect of the city. Florence is considerably slower, quieter, and cleaner. Of course, Florence, in spite of all of its historical grandeur, also reminds me of a shopping mall--full of retail shops and American college students.

ira

Hi M,

I could easily spend a week in Venice.

Houwever, you might want to fly into Venice VCE - 3 nights and train to Florence - 4 nights. Fly out of Florence FLR or Pisa PSA.

kja

What do you and your family like to do? What are your interests?

Mohawk

Thanks for all of your input.
We will be in Italy for 6 nights, then fly to Paris for 5. Paris, we are familiar with.
My wife and I are from NYC, but currently live in the Wash.,DC area so we are, indeed, &quot;big city&quot; people.
That does not mean, however, that we gravitate towards the hustle, bustle of a big city. Hit that middle age and those little quieter surroundings are more to our liking. We just returned from NYC and stayed near Times Square. I've certainly outgrown that madness. When in Europe, however, we like to see some great museums, some great, historical items, etc., but we also like just &quot;living&quot; in the location and soaking it all in. We're not apt to fill every waking hour fully scheduled out. We appreciate open time and down time. In Paris, for instance, just walking along the Seine, crossing a couple of those cool bridges, then sitting at a cafe were most memorable. Thats about our pace.
I already booked Florence, but I'm just tinkering with whether to add a Rome or a Venice. My impressions are beginning to formulate and it seems Rome cannot be done in a day; Venice may be a bit of a letdown. I Don't know! Now, the day trip idea may work best-Pisa? Bologna? Heard Bologna has some of the best food. That always scores, at least for us. We'll figure it out and everyone's suggestions go a long way towards helping us to figure it out. I've learned plenty from this forum and I expect the education to continue. Furthermore, it has always contributed to a great trip. I expect it will this time as well. In fact, it already has. Thanks. Mark

kja

Hi, Mohawk -

It sounds like you and your family enjoy quite a range of things - should make for a good trip!

I loved Florence, Rome, and Venice - for different reasons. What I loved most about Florence was the art and architecture. What I loved most about Rome was the art, the vibrancy of the piazzas, and the ruins. What I loved most about Venice was the beauty of the city. I found Venice to be much more relaxing than Rome (even though I kept pretty busy in both cities).

I would have been frustrated by only a few days in Rome - there is SO much to see there. In contrast, I can easily imagine enjoying a short (say, 2 day) visit to Venice.

Hope that helps!

Julie_Hurst

Hi Mark. Hope you get with the teenager &amp; ask what she most wants to see. When I was a teenager (eons ago!), I wanted to see Venice.

But then, maybe she would like to stand in the Colosseum or see the Sistine Chapel?

In Tuscany, you could plan a visit to a vineyard with owner's tour &amp; dinner (yummy). Some are with other tourist &amp; include a local band &amp; dancing (fun); some just for your group. Also, consider a cooking class - teenager may like that.

You might consider faster pace in Rome first &amp; then relax in Florence or Venice.

I wouldn't worry about not having very many nites in each place. On our first trip to Italy, we had 1 nite in Venice - that was enough to keep us going back!

Have a great trip, Julie

ira

HI M,

&gt;We will be in Italy for 6 nights, then fly to Paris for 5. &lt;

In which case, fly into FLR or PSA, train to Venice and fly www.myair.com from VCE to Paris ORY.

Enjoy your visit.

tomassocroccante

&lt;&lt;I would never suggest that someone just &quot;take a look&quot; at Rome.&gt;&gt;

I agree. Too often we read negative reports on Rome from people who dropped in for a day or two. I didn't care much about Rome my first visit (just a day while staying north of the city) but became a passionate fan after a week there later.

So, if you DESIRED to go to Rome, I'd say base yourself there and &quot;visit&quot; Florence. But you'll have no trouble with 6 nights in Florence. As for your daughter, obviously there's a difference between say, 13 and 19 ... Florence has lots of students and things to interest them. Bologna also. And you truly will be within a short hop to many great towns.

For me, being based in one place for a week is great - not lots of baggage shifting, you get to &quot;know&quot; a neighborhood as well as a town, and even find shopkeepers and others recognizing you when you stop in. Your daughter may find herself meeting other kids her age who are worth knowing, which is possibly less likely if you're on the move constantly.